USC preparing for Stanford’s straight-forward approach

By Saturday, USC will have waited three weeks for its first real test of the season.

It comes in the form of a Stanford team that rebounded from its season-opening loss against Northwestern to defeat Central Florida, 31-7.

Fifth-year senior quarterback Kevin Hogan leads the Cardinal, which plays physical, methodical football under Coach David Shaw.

During preparation this week, the Trojans will mainly focus on themselves, Coach Steve Sarkisian said Sunday.

“They have their style of play, which they’re committed to, and they’re good at it,” Sarkisian, speaking to reporters during a teleconference, said of Stanford. “But I also don’t want to shift the focus away from us. . . . We’ve got a good formula for success. I think we understand the process now.”

Last season, USC defeated the Cardinal, 13-10, on a late field goal at Stanford.

The Trojans are coming off one-sided victories over Arkansas State and Idaho. Those wins, coupled with Oregon’s loss to Michigan State and Auburn’s near-defeat by Jacksonville State, helped push USC up two spots to No. 6 in the Associated Press media poll and up three spots to No. 7 in the coaches’ poll.

USC is aiming to improve its third-down conversion rate and its pass rush.

Despite playing Sun Belt Conference opponents, USC has converted only four of 16 third downs.

Sarkisian said he would like to see quarterback Cody Kessler run for first downs if an opportunity presents itself. It did in the first quarter against Idaho, but Kessler opted to pass and it fell incomplete.

The coaching staff also does not need “to try and be so perfect” with third-down calls, Sarkisian said, and should rely instead on the tempo of the game.

USC’s defensive front has not been able to consistently pressure the quarterback. The Trojans have only two sacks.

“It’s been OK — it hasn’t been the strength of our defense so far,” Sarkisian said of the pass rush. “I’d like our guys to rush with a little bit more intention of going to sack the quarterback.”

USC platooned many defensive players in the first two games but that could change against Stanford — “a traditional huddle-up team,” Sarkisian said.

“They’re not going to try and go out and run 90 to 100 plays,” he said. “They’re going to try to possess the football.”

Trojans linebacker Anthony Sarao is looking forward to facing the Cardinal and its head-on offensive approach.

“It’s naturally more physical than bubble screens, five wideouts, that type of football,” he said.

Impressive return

Tailback Justin Davis, who sat out the opener because of a rib injury, returned against Idaho and ran like a player fighting for a position.

After watching senior Tre Madden recapture his 2013 form and freshmen Ronald Jones II, Aca’Cedric Ware and Dominic Davis excel in their debuts against Arkansas State, he might have had extra motivation.

Justin Davis rushed for 74 yards in five carries and scored two touchdowns.

“I think Justin knows if he’s not running like that, here comes Ronald, here comes Ced, here comes Dom, Tre comes back in the game, whatever it may be,” Sarkisian said. “I think all those guys are running hard.”

The Trojans suddenly have a logjam at tailback.

“I don’t think it will be fair not to give all of our backs a shot to carry the football,” Sarkisian said. “When and how is going to be the challenge every week.”

Quick hits

Sarkisian praised receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster and the entire receiving corps for its blocking, kicker Alex Wood for four touchbacks on kickoffs, and Soma Vainuku for his special teams play. . . . The Trojans resume practice Tuesday.

gary.klein@latimes.com

Twitter: @latimesklein